Integrating Using Substitution
Help Questions
AP Calculus BC › Integrating Using Substitution
In a geometry scaling, compute $\int \dfrac{10x}{(x^2+1)^2},dx$.
$-\dfrac{5}{(x^2+1)^2}+C$
$\dfrac{5}{x^2+1}+C$
$\dfrac{10}{x^2+1}+C$
$-\dfrac{10}{x^2+1}+C$
$-\dfrac{5}{x^2+1}+C$
Explanation
This integral requires u-substitution for a rational function with a quadratic denominator raised to a power. Let u = x² + 1, so du = 2x dx, which means 10x dx = 5 du. The integral becomes ∫(5/u²) du = 5∫u^(-2) du = 5(-1/u) = -5/u = -5/(x² + 1). The antiderivative of u^(-2) is -1/u. Choice A has the wrong sign, while choice E represents the derivative rather than the antiderivative. When the numerator is a multiple of the derivative of the base of a power in the denominator, use u-substitution.
A control system uses $\int \dfrac{6}{(3x+2)},dx$; compute the integral.
$6\ln|3x+2|+C$
$2\ln|3x+2|+C$
$\ln|3x+2|+C$
$\dfrac{1}{2}\ln|3x+2|+C$
$\dfrac{6}{3x+2}+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for a rational function with a linear denominator. Let u = 3x + 2, so du = 3 dx, which means 6 dx = 2 du. The integral becomes ∫(2/u) du = 2 ln|u| + C = 2 ln|3x + 2| + C. The coefficient 6 divided by the derivative factor 3 gives 2. Choice A incorrectly multiplies by 6, while choice C omits the adjustment factor. When integrating a constant over a linear expression ax + b, divide the constant by a.
A system response uses $\int \dfrac{5}{(x^2+1)}\cdot 2x,dx$; compute it.
$5\arctan x+C$
$\dfrac{5}{x^2+1}+C$
$\dfrac{5}{2}\ln(x^2+1)+C$
$5\ln(x^2+1)+C$
$10\ln(x^2+1)+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for a rational function where the numerator is a multiple of the derivative of the denominator. Let u = x² + 1, so du = 2x dx, which means 5(2x) dx = 10x dx becomes ∫(5/u) du = 5 ln|u| + C = 5 ln(x² + 1) + C. Since x² + 1 > 0, we can omit absolute value bars. Choice B uses 5/2 incorrectly, while choice D would result from an arctangent substitution. When the numerator is a multiple of the derivative of the denominator, use logarithmic integration.
A periodic motion needs $\int \dfrac{6\sin(3x)}{\cos(3x)},dx$; evaluate the integral.
$2\ln|\cos(3x)|+C$
$-2\ln|\cos(3x)|+C$
$-6\ln|\cos(3x)|+C$
$2\ln|\sin(3x)|+C$
$2\tan(3x)+C$
Explanation
This integral requires u-substitution for a rational trigonometric function. The integrand 6sin(3x)/cos(3x) = 6tan(3x) can be rewritten, but it's better to use u = cos(3x), so du = -3sin(3x) dx. This gives us ∫6sin(3x)/cos(3x) dx = ∫(-2/u) du = -2ln|u| = -2ln|cos(3x)|. The factor 6 divided by -3 gives -2. Choice B has the wrong sign, while choice E represents the derivative form. When integrating f'(x)/f(x), use u-substitution to get ln|f(x)| + C.
A tank’s inflow rate is modeled by $r(t)=\dfrac{6t}{t^2+4}$; find $\int \dfrac{6t}{t^2+4},dt$.
$3\ln\left(t^2+4\right)+C$
$\ln\left(t^2+4\right)+C$
$\dfrac{3}{t^2+4}+C$
$3\ln|t|+C$
$3\arctan\left(\dfrac{t}{2}\right)+C$
Explanation
This integral requires u-substitution to handle the rational function with a quadratic denominator. Let u = t² + 4, so du = 2t dt, which means 6t dt = 3 du. The integral becomes ∫(3/u) du = 3 ln|u| + C. Substituting back gives 3 ln(t² + 4) + C (absolute value bars can be dropped since t² + 4 > 0). Choice D might tempt students who think of arctangent formulas, but that applies to ∫1/(t² + 4) dt, not our integral with t in the numerator. When the numerator contains the derivative of the denominator (up to a constant), use u-substitution with the denominator as u.
A decay model uses $\int 12e^{-6t},dt$; find an antiderivative.
$-12e^{-6t}+C$
$-2e^{-6t}+C$
$2e^{-6t}+C$
$-\dfrac{1}{2}e^{-6t}+C$
$\dfrac{1}{6}e^{-6t}+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for an exponential function with a negative linear exponent. Let u = -6t, so du = -6 dt, which means dt = -(1/6) du. The integral becomes $∫12e^u$(-1/6) du = $-2∫e^u$ du = $-2e^u$ = -2e^(-6t). The factor 12 combined with -1/6 gives -2. Choice B has the wrong sign, while choice C incorrectly multiplies by -12. For exponential functions with negative exponents, the antiderivative will be negative times the exponential divided by the coefficient.
A cost function involves $\int(x^2+4x+5)^3(2x+4),dx$; find an antiderivative.
$(x^2+4x+5)^4+C$
$\dfrac{1}{2}(x^2+4x+5)^4+C$
$\dfrac{1}{4}(x^2+4x+5)^4+C$
$\dfrac{1}{4}(x^2+4x+5)^3+C$
$\dfrac{1}{8}(x^2+4x+5)^4+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for a power function with a quadratic inner expression. Let u = x² + 4x + 5, so du = (2x + 4) dx, making the integral ∫u³ du = u⁴/4 = (1/4)(x² + 4x + 5)⁴. The derivative of the inner function 2x + 4 exactly matches the linear factor in the integrand. Choice B omits the factor of 1/4, while choice C has an incorrect denominator. When the linear factor exactly matches the derivative of a quadratic expression, use u-substitution with the quadratic as u.
A chemical concentration uses $\int \dfrac{2}{\sqrt{1-4x}},dx$; find the antiderivative.
$\arcsin(2x)+C$
$-\dfrac{1}{2}\sqrt{1-4x}+C$
$\sqrt{1-4x}+C$
$-\sqrt{1-4x}+C$
$-\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-4x}}+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for a function involving a square root with a linear expression inside. Let $u = 1 - 4x$, so $du = -4 , dx$, which means $dx = -\dfrac{1}{4} , du$. The integral becomes $\int 2 u^{-1/2} (-1/4) , du = -\dfrac{1}{2} \int u^{-1/2} , du = -\dfrac{1}{2} (2 \sqrt{u}) = -\sqrt{u} = -\sqrt{1-4x}$. The antiderivative of $u^{-1/2}$ is $2 u^{1/2} = 2 \sqrt{u}$, and we include the negative sign from the substitution. Choice C has an extra factor of 1/2, while choice D would result from an inverse trigonometric substitution. For integrals of the form $\dfrac{f'(x)}{\sqrt{f(x)}}$, use u-substitution with $u = f(x)$.
A damping term requires $\int \dfrac{10x^3}{x^4+2},dx$; find the antiderivative.
$10\ln|x^4+2|+C$
$\dfrac{5}{2}\ln|x^4+2|+C$
$\dfrac{10}{x^4+2}+C$
$\dfrac{10}{4}\ln|x^4+2|+C$
$\dfrac{1}{4}\ln|x^4+2|+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for a rational function where the numerator is a multiple of the derivative of the denominator. Let u = x⁴ + 2, so du = 4x³ dx, which means 10x³ dx = (10/4) du = (5/2) du. The integral becomes ∫(5/2)(1/u) du = (5/2) ln|u| + C = (5/2) ln|x⁴ + 2| + C. Choice A incorrectly uses 10 instead of 5/2, while choice C uses 10/4 = 5/2 but writes it as a fraction. When the numerator is a multiple of the derivative of the denominator, divide by the appropriate factor.
In a statistics transform, compute $\int \dfrac{3}{(1+2x)},dx$.
$\dfrac{2}{3}\ln|1+2x|+C$
$\dfrac{3}{1+2x}+C$
$\ln|1+2x|+C$
$3\ln|1+2x|+C$
$\dfrac{3}{2}\ln|1+2x|+C$
Explanation
This integral uses u-substitution for a rational function with a linear denominator. Let $u = 1 + 2x$, so $du = 2 , dx$, which means $3 , dx = \frac{3}{2} du$. The integral becomes $\int \frac{3}{2} \frac{1}{u} , du = \frac{3}{2} \ln|u| + C = \frac{3}{2} \ln|1 + 2x| + C$. The coefficient 3 divided by the derivative factor 2 gives 3/2. Choice B incorrectly multiplies by 3 instead of dividing by 2, while choice C omits the adjustment factor. When integrating over a linear expression $ax + b$, divide the coefficient by a.